Comb Abby in Warwickshire. Beeverell antique print c1727.

by Beeverell, James

Beeverell antique print of Coombe Abbey in Coventry. (Family motto, Virtus in Actione Consistit (Virtue Consists in Action).

Original fine copperplate-engraved view of a grand English country estate for Les Delices de la Grand Bretagne et de l'Irlande, Ouvrage tres utile et tres curieux which translates roughly as "The Delights of Great Britain and Ireland, Very Useful and Very Curious Works".

This exquisite little engraving by Pieter van der Aa (1659-1733) was printed on watermarked paper with two vertical fold marks so that it could it in a pocket-sized book by James Beeverell published in 1727 (with later hand-colour). Van der Aa reduced in size the grand views of eminent topographical draughtsman Johannes Kip (1653-1722) for “Britannia Illustrata, ... Nobility or Gentry of Great Britain” which had been published in London circa 1708.

Plate size 13cm x 16cm (5 x 6.5 inches). Page size 15 x 20cm (6 x 8 inches), with two vertical folds for pocket publication.